PE man accused of hit and run expected back in court

A 27-year-old man who allegedly drove over two young teenage school girls while under the influence of alcohol, is expected back in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

William Taute, employed at South African Breweries as an account manager, is facing a string of charges which include culpable homicide, attempted murder, reckless or negligent driving, driving under the influence of liquor, excessive amount of alcohol in blood and failure by driver to immediately stop after an accident.

In March Taute was granted bail of R5,000. He is currently living on family farm in Vryburg in the North West as part of his bail conditions.

Defence attorney Ryno Scholtz previously indicated that his client intended to plead not guilty to the charges against him.

Following the incident in April, Jaydene Lucas, 16, was taken to Livingstone Hospital where she was immediately put on life support, but the machines were subsequently switched off and she died.

Her friend, Lorren Abrahams, 20 was reportedly in a critical condition.

The girls were on their way to Navy Cadette training and were accompanied by other friends while walking near the Humewood intersection.

State Prosecutor Timothy Van Rooyen previously indicated in court that Taute was allegedly traveling at a high speed when he is accused of striking the girls.

Van Rooyen further indicated that Taute also allegedly jumped a red robot, refused to stop at the scene of the accident and also overtook other stationery cars.

It further emerged in court that Taute had only very recently resigned from his job as an SAB account manager and was in the process of leaving South Africa to seek opportunities in New Zealand.

He had since cancelled his plans to travel abroad after the incident and his passport has been handed in to the investigating officer.